True Discipleship!
The Gospel of Luke
Luke Chapter 17
Scripture= Luke chapter 17:3-4 (N.L.T.)
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
Observations and Applications=
Conflict is not something that most normal people relish. Even when we are wronged we tend to suffer more than we probably should due to the conflict of confronting our assailant. I am not saying that we shouldn’t say something, in fact most people will voice a quick retort when wronged but we usually don’t get down to the reasons and motives behind the hurt. Why?
Jesus tells us in Luke 17:3-4 that when wronged we should rebuke and forgive. He states, ‘if another believer sins’ and than says, ‘you must forgive.’ That implies to me that the person has sinned against us. I understand how to rebuke and forgive but it seems like there is a process implied here.
I believe that Jesus is teaching us about some kingdom dynamics. I believe that I am my brother and my sister’s keeper. I believe that I am to be in fellowship with other believers and this fact is not up for debate. To rebuke and forgive other Christian believers means to me; that I must be in a relationship with them. This process is about the growth and development of character for the both of us.
Think about what must take place in this whole process; first there is a conflict, then there is confrontation but there is also mercy, exhortation (correction), instruction, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. These are the ingredients of a real, growing, healthy relationship. It is not possible to have pure fellowship without them! A relationship like this demands our time, our attention and great effort. There must be a commitment to one another. When we have relationships like this we are actually making disciples.
It seems to me that these are the relationships that Jesus expects of his followers. When I look at verses 7-10 I get the impression that when I am committed to this type of an ongoing relationship I shouldn’t think that I will be honored for doing something special. Instead, I need to understand that this is simply standard procedure for a child of God. Do we care enough to confront, forgive and restore? Do we simply care?
Usually I don’t bother to confront because I care more about what people think about me than I care about making disciples. Remember we are known to be His disciples by our love for one another. If you truly love me you will confront me for I am being made into the image of my Lord.
Prayer= Lord, help me to accept my responsibility to my brothers and sisters of faith. I don’t want to play the Holy Spirit but I do want to be obedient and faithful. Help me to care enough to walk someone through this process and to be humble enough to be led through it myself.
Luke Chapter 17
Scripture= Luke chapter 17:3-4 (N.L.T.)
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
Observations and Applications=
Conflict is not something that most normal people relish. Even when we are wronged we tend to suffer more than we probably should due to the conflict of confronting our assailant. I am not saying that we shouldn’t say something, in fact most people will voice a quick retort when wronged but we usually don’t get down to the reasons and motives behind the hurt. Why?
Jesus tells us in Luke 17:3-4 that when wronged we should rebuke and forgive. He states, ‘if another believer sins’ and than says, ‘you must forgive.’ That implies to me that the person has sinned against us. I understand how to rebuke and forgive but it seems like there is a process implied here.
I believe that Jesus is teaching us about some kingdom dynamics. I believe that I am my brother and my sister’s keeper. I believe that I am to be in fellowship with other believers and this fact is not up for debate. To rebuke and forgive other Christian believers means to me; that I must be in a relationship with them. This process is about the growth and development of character for the both of us.
Think about what must take place in this whole process; first there is a conflict, then there is confrontation but there is also mercy, exhortation (correction), instruction, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. These are the ingredients of a real, growing, healthy relationship. It is not possible to have pure fellowship without them! A relationship like this demands our time, our attention and great effort. There must be a commitment to one another. When we have relationships like this we are actually making disciples.
It seems to me that these are the relationships that Jesus expects of his followers. When I look at verses 7-10 I get the impression that when I am committed to this type of an ongoing relationship I shouldn’t think that I will be honored for doing something special. Instead, I need to understand that this is simply standard procedure for a child of God. Do we care enough to confront, forgive and restore? Do we simply care?
Usually I don’t bother to confront because I care more about what people think about me than I care about making disciples. Remember we are known to be His disciples by our love for one another. If you truly love me you will confront me for I am being made into the image of my Lord.
Prayer= Lord, help me to accept my responsibility to my brothers and sisters of faith. I don’t want to play the Holy Spirit but I do want to be obedient and faithful. Help me to care enough to walk someone through this process and to be humble enough to be led through it myself.
